Bottle testing and sorting apparatus



W. BERTHELSEN BOTTLE TESTING AND SORTING APPARATUS Aug. 12, 1952 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 6, 1948 v E N R m T A INVENTOR.

0 WW r 9 J A M w M U 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 W. BERTHELSEN BOTTLE TESTING AND SORTING APPARATUS wNN Aug. 12, 1952 Filed Feb. 6, 1948 "WWW I N VEN TOR. /a/7 r ZeF/A e/ 'en B Y Aug. 12, 1952 w. BERTHELSE-N 2,606,657

BOTTLE TESTING AND SORTING APPARATUS Patented Aug. 12, 1952 BGTTLE TESTING AND SORTING APPARATUS Walter Berthelsen, Quincy, Mass., assignor to Pneumatic Scale Corporation Limited, Quincy, Mass, a corporation of Massachusetts Application February 6, 1948, Serial No. 6,622

This invention relates to bottling apparatus. One-object of the invention is to provide a bottling line embodying at least one machine for.

cleaning, filling or capping bottles and embodying conveying mechanism for supplying a line of bottles into the machine and for discharging the same therefrom, wherein provision is also made for testing the bottles prior to and preferably as they are supplied to the bottling machine or machines to detect those bottles having physical defects of sufficient magnitude to render them incapable of passage through the machine or machines without substantial liability of smashing the bottles, jamming the conveying mechanism, or injuring the bottle handling portions of the machine, and wherein provision is made for rejecting such abnormal bottles while permitting the normal bottles to continue through the bottling line.

A further object of the invention is to provide novel and improved bottle testing apparatus for testing a series of bottles fed thereto and for separating those bottles having defects of sufficient magnitude to interfere with the successful operation of standard bottling apparatus.

With these general objects in view, and such binations of parts hereinafter described and par-- ticularly defined inthe claims atthe end of this specification. i

In the drawings illustrating the preferred embodiment of the invention, Fig. 1 is a plan view of bottling apparatus embodying the present invention; Fig. 2 is a plan view of the bottle testing machine embodied in the present apparatus, some of the parts being broken away and shown in cross section; Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the testing machine shown in longitudinal cross section; Fig. i is a side elevation of a bottle testing unit embodying the present invention; Fig. 5 is a cross sectional detail View of a portion of the testing unit shown in operative engagement with a bottle to be tested; Fig. 6 is a plan view of the testing unit shown in Fig. 4; Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. 6 with some of thepartsremoved and with parts shown in cross section; Fig. 8 is a cross sectional view taken on the line 8-8 of Fig. 7; and Fig. 9 is a cross sectional view taken on the line 98 of Fig. 7. I

In the operation of bottling apparatus where-' in the glass containers are automatically conveyedin succession between guide rails, transferred to and from the different operating de- 7' Claims. (01. 209--' vices by synchronous transfer spiders having container engaging portions conforming substantially to the shape of the containers, and wherein theb'ottling apparatus is provided with supporting and operating devices engageable either with the body portion, or top and extendable into the interior of the container, it is necessary that the successive containers be substantially uniform as to size and shape and free from such defects which might cause breakage of the glass containers or injury or damage to the rigid container handling elements of the bottling apparatus.

Some of the defects and imperfections which may occur in the glass containers include misshaped or deformed containers. Such deformities may take the form of bulges in the side walls of the body of the container; sagging or disaligned neck portions; .imperfect neck openings or choke necks; irregular or rounded bottoms causing leaning of the container; non-uniformity in height; leaky containers; and various other defects and irregularities, any or all of which may contribute to imperfect handling or which may cause jamming of the containers in the bottling apparatus, and possible failure or breakage of the various devices thereof.

In accordance with the present invention a novel bottle testing apparatus is inserted in the bottling linein advance of one or more bottling machines for performing operations of cleaning, filling or capping the bottles, and such bottle testing apparatus is arranged to detect those bottles having physical defects of sufficient magnitude to render them incapable of passage through the subsequent bottling apparatus in the line without substantial liability of smashing the bottles, jamming the conveying mechanism, or injuring. the bottle handling portions of themachine. Provision is also preferably made for rejecting such abnormal bottles before the same are conveyed into the bottling machine to the end that-the bottling line mayoperate in a continuous and trouble-free manner with maximum protection and efficiency.

Referring now to the drawings, in general, the illustrated bottling apparatus, diagrammatically shown in Fig. 1, includes a rotary bottle testing machine, indicated generally at I 0, arranged to receive the bottles l2 being supplied thereto on a continuously moving supply belt l4, successive bottles being transferred from the belt M to the rotary table It of the testing machine by a transfer spider i8. In their progress through the testing machine, the bottles are tested for the 3 various defects above noted and those bottles found to deviate from a predetermined stand ard are discharged onto a turntable 20 arranged to transfer the defective bottles onto a conveyer 22 which carries the bottles onto a discharge table 24.

Those bottles which are found to meet the prescribed tests are transferred from the rotary table 16 onto the delivery end of the supply belt M by a transfer spider l and are guided by rails 28 onto a continuously moving conveyer 30 on which the tested bottles are carried to a bottle cleaning machine, indicated generally at 26. A guide plate ll supported between the spiders l8, I5 is provided with arcuate cutouts arranged to cooperate with the spiders in guiding the bottles into and out of the testing machine.

The foremost bottle in the line approaching the cleaning machine is engaged by a continuously driven rotary star wheel 32 provided with a plurality of preferably equally spaced teeth arranged to enter between successive bottles as they are delivered and to release such bottles in timed relation to the bottle cleaning machine. The bottles thus released are presented into the path of arms 34 of a rotary feeding device, indicated generally at 36, which operates to transfer successive bottles onto the platforms 38 of successive supporting brackets 40 forming a part of the bottle cleaning machine, the bottles being guided onto the platforms by a guide rail or plate 42, as shown.

The container cleaning machine, herein diagrammatically illustrated, may and preferably will comprise a pneumatic cleaning machine of the type illustrated and described in the United States Patent No. 2,354,308 issued to A. C. Everett, July 25, 1944 to which reference may be had for a more complete disclosure of the machine and the mode of operation thereof. Accordingly, only suflicient portions of such machine are herein illustrated and described as will enable the present invention to be understood.

In general, in such cleaning machines provision is made for presenting successive bottles in radial alignment with individual cleaning nozzles on a rotatable supporting member or carrier by which the bottles are rotated into an inverted position. During the progress of the bottles into and from an inverted position provision is made for extendingthe cleaning nozzles into the bottles and injecting a stream of air into the interior thereof to effect discharge of dust and foreign particles through the mouth of each bottle, the dust being carried away to a dust collector.

Upon being cleaned, the bottles are removed from the platforms 38, as they arrive at the discharge station, by the engagement of the bottle with an extended portion of the guide rail 42 and successive bottles thus removed are transferred by a rotary toothed wheel 44 into successive equally spaced arcuate pockets or cutouts 46 of a rotary transfer member 48, the pockets being shaped to conform substantially to the shape of the bottle being transferred. The transfer member'48 is arranged to cooperate with a stationary guide rail 50 to guide and convey the bottles into the path of successive arms 5| of a rotary intake spider 52 arranged to dispose successive bottles upon successive continuously moving elevating platforms 58 forming a part of the bottle filling machine, indicated generally at 59.

The bottle filling machine as herein diagrammatically illustrated may and preferably will comprise a rotary vacuum filling machine of the type illustrated and described in the United States patent to A. C. Everett, No. 2,136,421, issued November 15, 1936, to which reference may be had for a more complete description of the construction and mode of operation of such filling machines, only sufficient portions thereof being herein illustrated and described as will enable the present invention to be understood. In general, such filling machines are provided with a plurality of filling heads each provided with a fillin nozzle extendable into the mouth of the bottle, and a sealing collar for sealing the mouth of the bottle. The filling heads are arranged to fill the bottles during the continuous movement of the filling heads. and of the bottles, as the latter are supported upon the continuously moving bottle supporting and elevating platforms 58, the containers being elevated into operative engagement with the nozzles during this time and the filling operation being effected by the evacuation of the bottle when the latter is elevated into engagement with a filling head. The filling is efiected in accordance with the well known vacuum principle.

After being filled the bottles are guided off the supporting platforms 58 of the filling machine by the engagement of successive containers with an extended portion 60 of the guide plate 56 and are engaged by successive arms 62 of a continuously rotated spider or transfer member 64 arranged to transfer the bottles directly from the filling machine into the clamping jaws 66 of a rotary closure applying machine indicated generally at 61.

The closure applying machine 6'! herein diagrammatically illustrated may and preferably will comprise a rotary machine of the type illustrated and described in the United States Patent to Everett, No. 2,082,048 issued June 1, 1937 to which reference may be had for a complete disclosure of the structure and mode of operation of such a machine. In general, such a machine is arranged to apply screw closures or caps to the bottles and is provided with a plurality of successive clamping jaws 66 shaped to substantially fit about the body of the bottle and forming part of a revoluble closure applying mechanism havin a plurality of rotatable applying devices arranged to receive successive closures supplied by a cap feeding mechanism, indicated generally at 65, and adapted to effect the application of the closure to the bottles held by the clamping jaws during the movement of the bottles through the machine. After being provided with a closure, the filled and closed bottles are transferred from the closure applying machine 61 onto a, continuously moving conveyer 69 by transfer arms 10 of a transfer mechanism arranged to remove the bottles in timed relation to the operation of the capping machine and to deposit the bottles onto the conveyer 69. The bottles deposited on the conveyer 69 may be carried to a packing station, or, if labels are to be applied, the bottles may be conveyed to a labeling machine, not shown, forming a part of the bottling line. In practice, the rotating closure applying devices are arranged to operate upon bottles of substantially uniform height and bottles having straight neck portions substantially in alignment with the vertical axis of the bottle.

From the description thus far it will be seen that the general structure and arrangement of the apparatus making up the bottling line are access-r such as Isabe operative upon bottles. of substane' tially'uniform size and shape and bottles free. from other defect o'r imperfections, and, in theevent-th-at a defectivebottle i's'permi'tted to enter-- the bottling -line, troublemay occur at any of several points according to the'particular bottle defect.-' 'Forexample, should the body portion of the bottle bedeformed or bulgedout: so as tobe larger than a predetermined standard size, j'ammi-ng; of -the bottle may occur at any of'the transfer points for the reason that the. transfer members are designed for cooperatiomwith sub stantially uniform shapes of bottles. Also, i-fa bottle is'tilte d or deformed so as to throw-theneck portion outof' alignment with thevertic'al axis of the bottle, or, ifthe neck is undersized or choked, those operating members" designed for cooperation with the top, mouth or neck portions may becomejammed or fail to operatesuccessfully. Accordingly, cr'oi'lisitin is made for: testing" the bottlesfor deformities in height; size and shapaand alsofo'r their adaptability to permit the-mouth of the bottle to be sealed. Provision is also. inadein the preferred embodiment oftheinventionfortestingthe bottles for'leakage preferably by means adaptedto detect those bottles incapable of maintaining. a predetermined pres-' sure applied thereto. Provision is further made for rejecting those bottlesfound to be defective in? any of the. respects which woulddamage the machines, including controlzmechanism respon sive to the testing mechanism arranged to effect rejection of defectivebottles in the supply line thus preventingsuch bottles from entering theoperating mechanism of: the bottling apparatus. Referring now to Figs. 2 and 3, the bottles are arranged .to enter the. testing mechanism on the supply conveyer I14=and are transferred by the spider I 8. onto an annularv'platform I8: mounted keyed to an outer sleeve I8 rotatably mounted in a central bearing member 80 attached to the machine frame-82. A- ball thrust bearing 84 may be provided between the upper surface of the stationary bearing 80 and the under surface ofthe rotary carrier. Theouter sleeve I8 is in turn keyed to an elongated inner sleeve 86 providedwith bushings 88. at either end and arranged to rotate aboutthe central stationary shaft or axis 00. *Theindivid'ual testing units I6 aremounted on an annular supporting member 92 carried by a; bracket Mfast on the upper end of the elon gated sleeve-.06, as illustrated. The lower-end of the elongated sleeve 86 is arranged to rest on a ball thrust bearing 96 supported on a collar 98'- secured to the stationary central shaft 90 p With-thi construction provision may be made for vertically adjusting the inner elongated sleeve 06 and the testing units 16 mounted thereon relative to the outer sleeve 18 and the rotary bottle supporting platform I6,-the keyed connection I9 permitting vertical slidable movement of the inner sleeve relative to the outersleeve. As herein show-m vertical: adjustment may be: eifected'xb-y;

raising. :orlowering the central non-rotatable shaft 90,, the. latter: being i threaded. at. itsflower end andv arranged tocooperate'witlr an, interiorl'y threaded. bevelgear nut 71 I00 supported on a:

bracket 'I.02.attached to the machine frame; A

secondivbevel gear I04 arranged'to'mesh vwith the bevel gear I00 is .mounted' fast on one end ofa shaft: [06' rotatably supported infthe frame,

the other end of the shaft. being providedwith a; handwheel. I01. Thus,.in operation, rotationof the. bevel gear nut: I00 effects raisingor lowering;-

ofthe. central stationary shaft and the rotatable inner sleeve mounted thereon thereby adlusting the; upper section of. the. machine includ ing the; testing units I6 relative. to the annular bottleisupporting carrier to accommodate tles: of varying. heights As shown in Fig. 2; the rotary associated mechanism. of the. testing machine is arranged. tonbe rotated by a motor IIO and through connections including a belt connection I I:2'=v to a worm and worm wheel speed reducing unit .I I4,, bevel gears H6; H8, and spur gears I120, I122, the? latter ..meshing with gear teeth ll ixformedonthe carrier mnmanuauy cone trolled clutch, indicated. generally at I26-may be provided for engaging; and disengaging the drive toxthe carrier. The" intakeispiderldand the delivery. spider I5. may and'preferably will:

be ldriven. by gears 125,. I21 respectively, ar-

ranged to cooperate with the gea'r'teeth l24 oi the carrier I2, and; the, turntable 20 for the rejected bottles may be. connected to the deliveryspider I'5 by a'chainiand sprocketv drive I 29. The

discharge conveyer- 22 may bevdriven from the turntable through cooperating bevel gears: I3 I I33, as shown in Fig. 2.

In the operationof the testing apparatus, duringthe progress of the bottles through the bottle testing machine I0, each bottle arranged to be tested'by its individual testing unit I6 disposed in vertical alignment therewith, and, in the event that a bottl'es -i's found to be defective in any of the. respects for which the testing mechanisms arev designed to test, provision is made for rejecting the defective bottles onto'the turntable 20 through connections responsive to the testing units and adapted to effect radial extension of the carrier or' pusher'arms I4, as will be hereinafter more fully described.

Referring now to Figs. 3 and 4, each bottletesting unit '16 includes a vertically reciprocal,

non-rotatable testing spindl I28 having '7 a head portion. I30 capable of entering the neck portion of an acceptable bottle aligned therewith; a seal lngcollar I32 arranged to engage the mouth portion of the' bottle when the head portion is;per

mitted to enter the neck; anda bottle gauging member I34'mounted on and movable with the spindle and arranged to pass down over the top of the bottle to gauge the body portion thereof.,

Each spindle I28 is slidably mounted in a bracket I36 attached to the annular supporting member 92 and the spindle is arranged to be recip-Q rocated through connections from a stationary barrel cam I38 adjustably secured to a flanged sleeve ;I 39 mounted on the stationary central shaft 90. As best shown in Fig. 3, the cam I38 has a cam roller I40 cooperating therewith, the roller being carried byan arm I42 pivotally mounted. on a pin-I44 in a standard I46 attached to the bracket I36. A second arm I48 loosely pivoted on the pin I44 is yoked at its. outer end and provided with opposed inwardly extended pins I50 bot- :carrier 12am arranged to engage in opposed groovedportions I52'formed in a block I54 which is' securedto the. spindle I28; Thelrollerfarm I42 is provided with'anextended plate I56 against-which a de-.

pendingv portionxI58 of'the spindle arm I48 enspindlesupported-.itherebm I .Thus, theinitialxdownward movement of the spindle I28. is efiectedby gravity soithat inthe event that. descent of thespindle is obstructed bya defective bottle, it will remain. in its stopped position while the cam roller arm .continues "its full stroke. its descent by any of the various defects-which are encountered in practice andwhich render the bottle unfit to pass through the bottling line. For example, if the body portion of. the bottle 'is deformed'or varies substantiallylfrom a standard. cross sectional shape, such as might. bescaused by..bulges in the side Walls thereof; the gauging member. I34 will terminate the descent of the spindle when it engagessuch deformed portion; if;the bottle is tilted or-if'the neck portion .is. not invertical-axial alignment with the body' portion, the end or head portion I30 oi thelspindle will strike the edge of the bottle mouth and thus retain the spindle in its raised position; or, in the event that the interior of the neck .portion is belowa .predeterminedsize or is provided with an obstruction, the head portion I30 will be prevented from entering the bottle. and thus effect termination of thedescent of the'spindle. .Provision is'made, as will be hereinafter; described, for rejecting the bottle'whenthe spindle fails to descend. 1

Howeverlif the bottle passes these tests,.the spindle is permitted to descend freely intothe bottle by gravity until the sealing member I32 rests against the mouth of the bottle. g.There-.

link: I 64 isprovided with an arm I68- pivoted n thereon and having a latch I at its outerr en'd.

anda roller I12 intermediate its ends. The'roller I 1 2 is arranged to cooperate with acam piece I14 attached to the upper portion of the standard I46, the roller beingheld againstits cam by a spring I16, V I

The latch I10 is arranged to cooperate with-a latch member I18 carried by the spindle arm I48 to thus effect positive pressure ofythe sealing member against the mouth of the-bottle when permitted to do'so by the cam piece I14. The

cam piece is designed to hold the arm- I68 in a raised position to prevent engagement of the latch I10 with the member I16 until the spindle has beenlowered. to a predetermined position corresponding to the engagement of the sealing member I32 with the mouth of the bottle. the event that the spindle should be stoppedin its descent before reaching such predetermined pos iv tion, the upraised latch I10 will passo'ver the The spindle may be interrupted 'in' upper end. of the, latch ,inember Ireermitting the camfurged linkage to complete its stroke with r out effecting pressure-against the spindle arm I 46,

However, "ifgtheyspindle is permitted to descend,

untilthe sealingmember I32 engages the bottle; the latch I10 wi1l be permitted to drop into latch-v iengagement with the member I18 and posi-' tively. urgethemember; I 32 into sealing engagement with the bottle. -On' the returnstroke=thev spindle arm I48ispositively rocked upwardlyby the engagementof the: plate extension I56with the underside of the spindle arm; as illustrated; During the progress of the; bottles {through} the machine whilethus sealed, the bottles aretested' I for leakage and thosebottles;foundtobe leaky mayand preferably will 'berejected asv will be hereinafter described.- j From, the description thus far it -will be observed that thc bottles may be tested for de,-'

formities in shape, in neck structure and for leak? age during their progress ,through the machine, and provision ismade for rejecting thosepbot tlesfound to: bedefective in such respects or any of them. Referring now, to Figs. 2, and .3, each testingunit is provided with its individual re-.

jecting mechanism adapted to extend its car-. rier member 14 radially toudischarge. defective bottles onto the turntable .20, and as herein shown,; each carrier member. is attached to the end of an; arm I60-slidably mounted. in a bracket I82 attached to :the rotarycarrier 12. Theslide.

arm I is arranged tojbe extended'andretracted in' the bracket I82 by a stationary cam I84 adjustably secured tothe flanged portion I86 of the bearing member 80'and through connections in cluding a cooperating cam roll I88 carried byan arm I90 fast on the lower end of a vertical stud I92 iournaled in the rotary carrier.12. A second.

Provision is made; for, normally maintaining;

the slide arm- I80. in its retracted position against the tension ;of the spring 'I,85,.and, as herein shown; the arm I90 is provided with a latchmember I96 formed integrally therewith and arranged to cooperate with a latch I98 carriedat'the lower end of an elongated vertical control shaft 200. The latch- I98 andshaft 200 comprise a part of the control mechanism actuated by, the detecting mechanism for releasing the arm I90 to permit it tofollow the carn;I84 and effect rejection of a bottle when the latter ,-is; found to be defective, Thus, in operation whenadefective bottle is de-v tected, the elongated vertical shaft 200 is per-- mitted to rock clockwise viewing Fig. 2toarelease the latch member ;-I96' and permitoperation of shaft 200 above andbelow the arm 202 respectively; Either orboth of the loosely mounted arms 204, 206 are arranged to engage and rock the arm202 and the shaft 200 in a clockwise direction viewing- Eigs.; ,6 and 7, when a defective bottle :is detected, the upper term 204 being rocked to effect release of the rejecting mechanism when the spindle I28 fails to descend a extensions 2 I0, 2 I 2 formed on the upper and lower.

latch arms 204, 206 respectively and similar springs 2I4, 2I6 connected between thearm 202 and the arms 204, 206respectively are arranged to urge the parts into-cooperative engagement so as to move as a unit when noresistance to clockwise .rocking movement is applied to either of the loosely mounted arms 204, 206. However, if resistance to such rocking movement of one of the arms 204 or 206 occurs, the other arm may move freely to effect'rocking of the arm 202 .by virtue of the spring connections 2I4, 2 I6.

The arms 204, 206 are .arrangedto be rocked by a single cam 2I8 .adjustably mounted on a flange portion 220 of the sleeve member I39 secured to the central stationary shaft 90 thearms being rocked by the cam through connectionsineluding a cooperating cam roll 224 carried by an arm 226 pivotally mounted in the bracket I46. The cam roll arm 2261s connected to the upper and lower arms 204, 12.06 .bysimilar connections, comprising rods 228, 229 each pivotally connected I96, I98 and permitting the arm I90 and roller -I88 to follow the cam I84 and efiect rejection of the bottle when it arrives adjacent the discharge turntable. In practice, the arms-204, 206 are actuated by the testing cam 2 I8 to effect rocking of the shaft 200 and unlocking of the latch mem bers I86,. I98, in the event of a defective bottle, at a point in the cycle indicated at 238 in Fig. 2 just prior to the rejecting station or turntable and at this point the stationary rejecting cam I84 is provided with a slightly depressed portion 24I sufiicient to permit the latch I96 to free itself from the latch I98 when permitted to do so by the testing mechanism. Thereafter in the operation of the machine, the spindle is elevated and the rejecting mechanism is operated to discharge a defective bottle onto the turntable 20,. The testing mechanism is subsequently :reset by retraction of the slide arm I80 to again efiect latchto the arm 226 at one .end, the other ends being slidingly received in swivel members 230, 231 carried by the arms 1204, 206 respectively. vAdjustable collars 232, 233 on the end of the 'rods .228, 229 are arranged to cooperate with their respective swivel members 230, 231 to limit the .clockwise movement or the arms 204, 206 andto'efiect positive retraction or counterclockwise .movement thereof. Each rod 228, 229 is provided with:

a spring 234, 235 interposed between the "other side of its swivel and collars 236, 231 adjustably secured to the rods to permit each rod to slide through its swivel when the respective arm 204, 206 is prevented from rocking. 228, 229 is further provided with a spring 222 connected between the collars 236, 231 and the standard I46 to urge the roller .224 against its cam 2I8;

Provision is made for preventing clockwise rocking 'IhOVGIIlGIldOf thearms 204, 206 andrelease'of the rejecting mechanism when :an acceptable bottle is presented to a testing unit and, as herein shown, when the spindle. I28 is permitted to descend into thebottle to a predetermined position, a stop plate 238 carried by the spindle is arranged to come into edgewisenalignment with a corresponding stop plate 240, carried by the upper arm204. Thus, during the progress of the testing'unit andthe bottle through a ciroular path, whenit is attempted'to rock the upper arm 204 to test the extent of descent of the spindle, the stop plate 238 inalignment with, the stop plate 240 will prevent rocking of the arm 204 and, its yieldably connected rod 228 will be extended through the swivel member 230. However, in the event that the spindle fails to descend to said predetermined level because of a defective bottle, or, if, the spindle is permittedto drop to a level lower than said predeterminedlevel, indi-1 7 ing mechanism by unlocking the latch members Each rod r *ing engagement of the members 3.6.108, the

. normal position by the prings 222.

The description of the bottle testing :mechanism thus far has been confined, in general, :to the detection and rejection of bottles having defects other than leakage. In accordance with the present invention provision is also made for detecting and rejecting a bottle found to be unable to maintain a predetermined pressure applied thereto after being sealed and includeslcontrol mechanism actuated by the bottle pressure for either preventing or permitting release of the rejecting mechanism in accordance with the pressure maintained in the bottle.

Referringnow particularly to. Fig. 7, the leak detecting and control mechanism includes the lower cam operated latch arm 206 which is'arrangedto be engaged by a latch member-.242 to prevent operation of the bottle rejecting mechanism when a predetermined pressure is maintained in the bottle being tested, and, to permit operation thereof when a pressure loss 'isdetected in the bottle. .As herein shown, see Fig. 8. the latch member 242 is fast on the upper end of a vertical stud 244 rockingly mounted in the bracket I36. The lower end of the vertical stud is provided with .a slotted arm 246 arranged to embrace an upstanding-pin 248 carried by a 'tie rod'250 attached to and extended between the inner faces of opposed flexible air bellows 2.52,

254. The bellows 2:52 254 are adapted to be extended or :retracted in accordance with the, pressure applied thereto, so that if the pressure in one of thebellows overcomes that in the other the, tie rod is moved therewith to effect rocking of the latch member v242. One of the bellows 252 is arranged to be suppliedwith a substantially constant and uniform air pressure from a suitable source and the other bellows 254 is connected to the sealed bottle being tested and is initially supplied with air at a corresponding or equal pressure. ,In operation, the initially supplied air pressure in the bellows .254 is thereafter cut off and the pressure therein is subsequently com pared with the constant pressure in the bellows 252 to determine if an loss inpressure has occurred during the interval between the initial .air supply and the testing point in the cycle of operation. Thus, in operationif no leakage from the bottle has occurred the opposed bellows will apply equal force against the ends of the tie. rod 250 so as to maintain the upstanding pin 248 in 11 a central position, as shown in Figs. 6 and '1 thus maintaining the latch member 242 in engagement with the' latch arm 206 to prevent operation of the rejecting mechanism. In'the event that leakageoccurs in the bottledue to pin holes,

1 cracks or imperfect sealing at the mouth portion, the reduced pressure in'the bellows 254 which is in communication with the bottle will cause the upstanding pin 248 to be moved to the right viewing Fig. 7-, thus releasing the arm 206 and permitting thesame to be rocked to efifect release of the rejecting mechanism when: the unit reaches the testing point in the cycle.

Referring now to Figs. Band 4, air maybe supplied to the bellows 252, 254 of each testing unit 16 from any suitable source, such as an air compressor, connected by a flexible pipe 256 to the lower end of the stationary central shaft 90, the latter having a central opening 9| therein.

" The upper end of the shaft 90 is provided with lateral openings 258 arranged to communicate with a pressure chamber 260 formed in a turret 262 rotatably mounted on the upper end of the shaft. As best shown in Fig. 3, the turret is directly connected by a plurality of radially extended rigid air pipes 264 to each individual testing unit 16, one end of each pipe 264 communicating with the chamber 269 and the other end connected to a valve unit 266 attached to and movable with the bracket I36; In operation, the

rigid pipe connection causes the turret 262 to rotate on the central shaft 98 with the testing units 16.

The pressure line to the bellows 252 is continued through a flexible pipe 268 connected to a tubular member 210 to which the bellows 252 is connected. The tubular member 210 is supported from the underside of the bracket I 36 and in alignment with the opposing bellows 254. The bellows 254 is arranged to be supplied with air from thepressure line 264 through the valve unit 266 which latter is provided with a valve stem 212 slidingly mounted therein and arranged to be opened after the bottle has been sealed to admit air into separate upper and lower pipes 214, 216 leading to the bottle and to the bellows 254 respectively. As shown in Fig. 9, the valve stem 212 is normally urged by a spring 218 into engagement with a valve seat 280, and is arranged to be opened at a predetermined point in the cycle of operation by a stationary cam 282 adjustably secured to'a flanged portion 284 of the sleeve member I39 attached to the stationary shaft 90, as illustrated in Fig. 3.

The cam 282 is arranged to cooperate with a roller 286 carried by an arm 286 pivoted in the standard I46. The arm 288 is provided with an intermediate roller 289 arranged to cooperate with the end'of a link 290 connected to the free end of an air bellows 292 secured to a tubular member 294 screwed into the valve unit 266. The link 290 is screwed into a rod 296 slidingly mounted within the tubular member 294 and is arranged to engage the end of the spring pressed valve stem 212. The roller 286 and associated linkage is urged to follow the cam 282 by the extension of the bellows 292, the latter providing a leak proof connection, and when the valve is opened, air is permitted to enter from the pressure line 264 through the upper pipe 214 to the sealed bottle and through the lower pipe 216 into the bellows 254,'the latter comprising a flexible tube connected to a tubular member 298 to which'the bellows 254 is attached, as shown in Fig. 8.

' in Fig. 2 and shortly thereafter the valve 212 is Referring now to Figs. 4 and 5, the upper pipe 214 leadingfrom the valve unit 266- is connected at its upper end by a flexible tube 300 to the upper end of the testing spindle I28 and in communication with a central opening 302 therein. The lower end of the hollow spindle is'arranged to communicate with the bottle through'a central passageway 304 formed'in'a stem'386'extended from and forming a part of the head portion I30, and through radial ports 308 arranged to be opened when the bottle is sealed;

The bottle sealing'unit indicated generally at I32 is arranged to come to rest against the mouth of the bottle when the spindle is'lowered into operative engagement therewith by gravity and thereafter, when positive sealing pressure is applied through thelatch mechanism I10, I18 and associated linkage, provision is made for permitting relative movement 'betweenthe spindle I28 and the sealing unit 'to effect uncovering of the ports-308. As clearly shown in Fig. 5, the stem 306 is adjustably supported in a shouldered member 3I0 screwed into the end of the spindle I28, the stem being retained in-its adjusted position by'a set screw 3I2. The sealing unit includes a flanged sleeve 3I4 slidably mounted on the stem 306 which is urged downwardly against a shoulder formed by the ,head I30 by a compression spring 3I6 interposed between the shouldered member 3I0 and the upper end of the sleeve 3I4. The flanged portion3I8 of the slidable sleeve 3I4 is grooved .to receive a resilient washer 320 and a second washer or sealing memberr32l for engagement'with the mouth of the bottle is retained in the unit by a threaded cap member 322 cooperating with the flange 3I8. The shouldered member3l0 is also provided with 'a resilient washer 324 fitted into a groove in the underside thereof and arranged to cooperate with an annular rib 326 formed on the upper surface of the flange 3I8. -A sealing washer 328 may also be provided on the shoulder formed by the head I30 for sealing engagement with the end of the sleeve 3I4. j

With this construction it .Will be seen" that in operation, when the head portion I30 of the spindle is permitted to enter the bottle and the sealing member 32I engages the mouth thereof, positive pressure is applied by the latch mechanism' I10, I18 to extend the stem 306 and head I30 relative to the sleeve 3I4 to thereby uncover the ports 308. At the same timea seal ismade between the shouldered member 3I0 and the flanged portion 3I8 to cut off possible escape of air betweenthe sleeve 3I4 and the stem 306. Thus, the bottle is firmly sealed from the atmosphere during the testing operation.

In the operation of the leakage testing mechanism, the valve 212 is opened by the stationary cam 282 at a point in the cycle indicated at 330 againclosed to seal the air pressure within the bottle. Prior to sealing and subjecting the bottle to the air pressure, the latch member 242 is urged into an outwardly rocked position, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 6, due to the constant pressure maintained in the bellows 252. As soon as the valve 212 is opened and pressure is applied to the bottle being tested, the latch 242 will be moved into engagement with the latch arm 206 because of equalization of pressure in the bellows 252, 254; Thereafter, during the time interval between subjecting the bottle to pressure, :as indicated at 330 and the testing point indicated at 239, if the bottle is unable to maintain'the pressure applied thereto, the bellows 2 54 will be overmember 242 to be again rocked outof operative engagement with the arm 206. -Thus,. when the testing cam 2l8 operates to rock the arm 206 there will be no resistance to such movement and testing apparatus l and in alignment with individual testing units 16. During the'pro'gress of the bottle through the testing machine, the testing spindle 128 is lowered into operative engagement with the bottle. If the spindle is prevented from descending into sealing engagement with the bottle because of any of the defects hereinbefore noted theheight gauge. or stop member 238 will not be in alignment with the cam operated feeler arm 204 and the rejecting mechanism will be released when the unit arrives at the testing point 239 to effect rejection of the defective bottle onto the turntable after the testing spindle has been withdrawn.

If the bottle passes this test and the spindle is' lowered into sealing engagement with the bottle, the arm 204 will be prevented from rocking and the rejecting mechanism will not be released by the action of the arm 284. However, in the event that a leak is detected in the bottle when the spindle is lowered into sealing engagement therewith, the arm 26% may effect release of the rejecting mechanism. Such action is effected by subjecting the sealed bottle to pressure by air admitted therein when the valve 272 is opened, the valve being immediately closed to loci; the air in the bottle. If the pressure-in the bottle is not maintained during the interval between the application of pressure and the testing point 238 the latch 242 will be moved to' permit'the cam operated arm 206 to be rocked to release the rejecting mechanism at the testing point 232.

Thus the rejecting mechanism may be rendered operative by either failure of the spindle 128 to descend or failure of the bottle to maintain an initially applied pressure, both tests being made simultaneously at the testing point 239.

It will also be observed that the valve 212 is opened whether or not the spindle I28 descends in operative engagement with the bottle and that when the spindle fails to descend, the air admitted to the spindle may escape through the closed ports 3B8 upwardly between the relatively movable parts 306, 3 I 4 and out to the atmosphere since no seal is made between the parts 310, 333 when the spindle fails to descend into sealing engagement with the bottle. The air escaping in this manner is sufficient to effect a reduction in pressure in the bellows 254 and thus eifect release of the rejecting mechanism. In other words, in one aspect of the invention the pneumatic control means alone may be utilized to detect defects of any nature including misshapen bottles and leaky bottles since failure of the spindle to descend will efiect a reduction in pressure in the bellows 254 and consequent rejection of the bottle through release of arm 206. It will be further observed that if the bottle is substantially shorter than a predetermined standard height 14 there will be no relative movement between the parts 310, 318 to seal the space therebetween and a reduced pressure will result to effect subsequent rejection of the bottle. I. 1

In the continued operation of the bottling apparatus, those bottles which pass all the tests are transferred from the testing machine by the spider I 5 to be delivered to the operating mechanism of the bottling apparatus to be cleaned, filled and closed, the present testing mechanism assuring that each bottle delivered to the bottling apparatus will pass freely through the operating mechanism without injury to the machine or breakage ofthe bottlesf While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been herein illustrated and described, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied in other forms within the scope of the fol lowing claims. T

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is:

1. Bottle testing apparatus adapted for use in testing bottles being supplied to a bottling machine, comprising'detecting means comprising a vertically reciprocable member having portions engageable with the body, neck openingand top of the bottle, said reciprocable member being mounted to permit termination of descent when obstructed by a non-uniform portion of the' bottle, a normally locked bottle rejecting mechanism, and control means including a cam operated arm arranged to release said rejecting mechanism when descent of the reciprocable member is terminated by engagement with a non-uniform bottle, and a stop member carried by said reciprocable member arra'ngd to engage said arm to prevent release of the rejecting mechanism when the member is permitted to descend to a predetermined position.

2. Bottle testing apparatus adapted for use in testing'bottles being supplied to a bottling machine, comprising a reciprocable member having portions engageable with difierent parts of the bottle, said reciprocable member being mounted to permit termination of movement when obstructed by a non-uniform bottle, means carried by said reciprocable member for sealing the mouth of the'bottle, means for subjecting the bottle to a predetermined air pressure while thus sealed, means for indicating a loss in such pressure, a normally locked bottle rejecting mechanism, and unitary control means arranged to release said rejecting mechanism when said reciprocable member is terminated in its movement by a non-uniform bottle or when a loss in pressure is indicated whereby to protect the bottling apparatus from damage by such defective bottles, said control means including a mechanically operated arm arranged to cooperate with a portion of said reciprocal member to prevent operation of said rejecting mechanism when a uniform bottle is detected, and a pneumatically operated latch for restraining said arm when the bottle maintains said predetermined pressure.

3. In bottling apparatus of the character described, in combination, bottle testing means including means for detecting a leaky bottle, said detecting means comprising a vertically reciprocable member having an air nozzle insertable into the bottle and a sealing member engageable with the mouth of the bottle, said reciprocable member being mounted to descend freely by gravity until the sealing member engages the mouth of the bottle, means for thereafter applying positive pressure to seal the bottle, means for subjecting the bottle to a predetermined air pressure through said nozzle, means for indicating a loss in such pressure, a normally locked rejecting mechanism, and control means arranged to release said rejecting mechanism when a pressure loss is indicated, said positive pressure applying means including a pivotally mounted arm operatively connected to said vertically reciprocal member, and a cam operated arm arranged for cooperation with said pivotally mounted arm to effect said sealing pressure when the reciprocal member engages the mouth of the bottle.

4. In bottling apparatus of the character described, in combination, bottle testing means including means for detecting a leaky bottle, said detecting means comprising a vertically reciprocable member having an air nozzle insertable into the bottle and a sealing member engageable with the mouth of the bottle, said reciprocable member being mounted to descend freely by gravity until the sealing member engages the mouth of the bottle, means for thereafter applying positive pressure to seal the bottle, means for subjecting the bottle to a predetermined air pressure, said nozzle having a port, said sealing member being mounted for movement relative to the reciprocable member when positively urged into sealing engagement to uncover said port, means for indicating a loss in such pressure, a normally locked rejecting mechanism, and control means arranged to release said rejecting mechanism when a pressure loss is indicated 5. Bottle testing apparatus comprising, means for continuously conveying a line of successive bottles through said apparatus along a fixed path, a testing unit for each bottle in said apparatus, said testing units each being continuously moveable along said path with said bottles and each including means for engaging and gauging said bottles for deformities in concentricity, obstructed neck openings, height and leaks while moving through said apparatus, said units being moveable toward and from testing proximity to said bottles during said continuous movement, a rejecting mechanism associated with each testing unit, each of said rejecting mechanisms being respectively controlled by its associated testing unit to remove defective bottles from said line at a single predetermined station along the path of movement of said bottles through said apparatus.

16 6. Apparatus as defined in claim 5 wherein said rejecting mechanisms include means regularly and periodically urging a rejecting element in bottle rejecting movement at said station, a moveable blocking element moveable to a position to prevent movement of said rejecting-element, and means responsive to said testing unit for moving said blocking element to said position when said testing unit detects an acceptable bottle.

7. Bottle testing apparatus comprising-means for continuously conveying a line of successive bottles through said apparatus along a fixed path, a testing unit for each bottle in said apparatus, said testing units each being continuously moveable with said bottles and including means for applying superatmospheric pressure to the interiors of said bottles, a source of superatmospheric pressure, a pair of opposed expansible chambers, means providing communication between one of said chambers and the interior of a bottle and the interior of said bottle and said source of pressure, means providing communication between the other chamber and said source of pressure, a control element responsive to pressure differences in said chambers, a rejecting mechanism associated with each testing unit, each of said rejecting mechanisms being respectively controlled by its associated control element to remove leaking bottles from said line at a single predetermined station along the path of movement of said bottles through said apparatus.

WALTER BERTHELSEN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Gray Dec. 23, 1947 

